Fiorella DiCarlo's Take Your Body to the Next Level

Body Sculpting, Weight Loss and Your Best Body EVER!

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Quit Smoking? Here's What To Do

Finally, you have quit smoking. Since I am not Dr. Phil I am not going to reward with a new car for quitting something you were an idiot to do in the first place. Nonetheless I will give you some helpful hints that will keep you on the wagon.

From my experience with smokers, it all begins with familiar stories of peer pressure, recreational smoking or as a weight loss remedy. Then once addicted, the poor smoker becomes victim to his crime, poor thing. The idea of smoking has always been so absurd to me; I have no patience or tolerance for it because it is so harmful.

Nicotine is highly addictive and wreaks havoc on your body with cancer, organ damage and emphysema. Recent studies have shown that smoking activates a gene that is known to cause premature aging. If you are a woman on birth control, it severely raises your risk of heart attacks. You may even pass to menopause earlier than normal.

So let’s get a plan to get back to health, but first this is what you are going to feel (I didn’t say it was going to be easy):

1. Headaches

2. Nausea

3. Diarrhea or constipation

4. Fatigue and insomnia

5. Irritability anxiety and depression

Smokers also have lower levels of certain vitamins in their bodies, because nicotine has inhibited their absorption. Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium and folic acid, all have been depleted. During my research, I have also come across a study that says Vitamin C actually pushes nicotine out of the body initially through urine, which prompts the smoker to reach for a cigarette much sooner to replace the lost nicotine. It is important then to begin Vitamin C supplements when you have truly quit smoking.

Now the bad news, when you quit smoking your metabolic rate lowers from the lack of nicotine, almost two hundred calories worth. Once you quit smoking you also get your taste and smell back, so food will taste even better. On top of that, smoking has given you an oral fixation that most people substitute with food – and, did I mention water retention? Do not panic, there are ways to prevent weight gain and get your body back in order.

About Fiorella

Fiorella DiCarlo is a Nutritional Consultant, group fitness instructor and fitness writer, focusing on women's body composition and performance. Fiorella currently lives in New York City where she is working on her MS in Nutritional Sciences, and spends her time writing and consulting with clients. Fiorella has been a Hawaiian Tropic competitor and enjoys teaching belly dancing classes in her free time.